Intel Core i9-12900KS

Tech Specs Tech Specs

Price History Price History

Reviews Reviews

Compare Compare

Intel Core i9-12900KS
Unless you absolutely need the fastest execution times, it'll be worth considering cheaper models from the Core i5 and Core i7 family. Spend the savings on a memory upgrade, bigger SSD, or more powerful graphics card. If you're building a super-high-end gaming powered by the RTX 3090 Ti and have a thousand dollars left, the Core i9-12900KS is probably what you should add next, and with that done, check out watercooling options.
- As reviewed by TechPowerUp on Apr 2022
16
Cores
24
Threads
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
5.5 GHz
Boost Clock
Socket LGA 1700
Socket
150 W
TDP
Intel UHD Graphics 770
Integrated Graphics
$351
Price
Release date:Mar 22, 2022Price at Launch:$813
Cores:16Threads:24
Base Clock:3.4 GHzBoost Clock:5.5 GHz
Performance Cores:8Efficient Cores:8
Efficiency Core Clock:2.5 GHzType:Desktop
Multithreading:YesL2 Cache:14 MB
L3 Cache:30 MBBox Cooler:No
TDP:150 WSocket:Socket LGA 1700
Memory Support:DDR5-4800Codename:Alder Lake-S
Process Size:Intel 7 (10nm)Integrated Graphics:Yes
iGPU Model:Intel UHD Graphics 770NPU:No
PCIe Support:PCIe 5.0, 20 Lanes
Intel Core i9-13900KS
A newer model is available:
Intel Core i9-13900KS

Price History

Intel Core i9-12900KS pricing

Last 6 months
Price Date
Current $351 Dec 15, 2025
Highest* $399 May 14, 2025
Lowest* $289 Sep 4, 2025
Average $349
* Prices are based on listings from Newegg and other major retailers over the past 12+ months.
TechSpot is supported by its audience. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Learn more here.

Reviews and Ratings

82

Average Score

Based on 4 reviews

9.2

User Score

Based on 337 reviews

Reviewers Liked

  • Adds Thermal Velocity Boost and Adaptive Boost
  • Support for DDR5 and PCI-Express 5.0

Reviewers Didn't Like

  • No CPU cooler included
  • Integrated graphics not good enough for serious gaming
70

Its higher clock speeds give Intel's Core i9-12900KS a solid performance boost over the Core i9-12900K in some scenarios, but its steep price and hot-running tendencies hold it back.

By PCMag on
70

Core i9-12900KS has blazing performance but mainly demonstrates how Intel desperately needs to improve power draw and efficiency.

By KitGuru on
93

It comes at a price, but the Intel Core i9-12900KS "Alder Lake" processor is the best CPU currently available on Intel's 600 series platform.

By TweakTown on
95

The Intel Core i9-12900KS is the best a 12th Gen Intel CPU could be, but with the caveats that you're paying more in purchase costs, running costs and cooling costs when compared to the regular 12900K, and for some extra performance but not loads. Whether those are compromises and costs you're willing to make is up to you.

By OC3D on

However, the Core i9-12900KS might allow Intel to cling to the title of having the fastest gaming chip in the world, a nearly priceless distinction for the Alder Lake brand. Make no mistake: the Special Edition Core i9-12900KS is the fastest desktop PC chip ever built.

By Tom's Hardware on

Unless you absolutely need the fastest execution times, it'll be worth considering cheaper models from the Core i5 and Core i7 family. Spend the savings on a memory upgrade, bigger SSD, or more powerful graphics card. If you're building a super-high-end gaming powered by the RTX 3090 Ti and have a thousand dollars left, the Core i9-12900KS is probably what you should add next, and with that done, check out watercooling options.

By TechPowerUp on

Our readers are also looking into these CPUs...